Thrilling Thursday!

We are over the hump! Yea!

Yesterday was probably as broad a spectrum as we can get at the office. It began in crisis and finally made the full swing and was laid back. When I arrived at the office, KO and his wife were both there. Now that is odd! Usually it is an hour after I arrive that they straggle in.

We had a driver making a metroplex delivery and then picking up a load of boxes and trays to bring back to the production facility in Abilene. The delivery was uneventful but the pickup didn't go as well. It is extremely tight getting in to the dock, the streets and parking lot were design for much smaller equipment than what we use. In addition to this the entrance has a large hump that the trucks must cross over, this hump is like a speed bump on steroids, short ramps on and off, high elevation. When the driver was trying to enter, both fuel tanks dragged and the passenger side tank's elbow fitting was broken off. Diesel was streaming out, the driver dashed to the dock office and asked them to have maintenance bring a plug. When the maintenance man arrived he looked under there and told the driver, "You need a plug!" He went back to his shop to look for one and while he was there he called 911. In quick time police, fire trucks and ambulances responded. By this time the damaged tank was empty. It had lost thirty to forty gallons of fuel (at $2.319 per gallon). The firemen wanted to pump the fuel from the other tank (????), but the driver told them "No, that tank was not damaged". The firemen called the Hazardous Response Team and they came and began putting out speedi-dry. The woman in charge was really nice and explained everything to the driver. They would soak all the liquid up with the speedi-dry and then they would pick up the speedi-dry, seal it in drums and dispose of it at a hazardous disposal site. While all this was transpiring, our driver learned that he was the fifth truck this week to have a problem with the entry to the dock area. The driver plugged the tank, completed his pickup and was trying to make it back to Abilene so the tank could be re-plumbed, he was due for a fueling on his way back even before he had his problem. Just a few miles down the road, the big truck sucked air and was "dead in the water" on I-35. What apparently had happened was that the on board computer had directed the return fuel to the tank with the lowest fuel level, the one with the plug in it! The fuel return is supposed to equalize the excess fuel that is returned from the injector pump to the tanks. While the initial plan was a quick fix, it was flawed. Luckily we had another truck in the area whose drive is very mechanical and carries tools with him. The office had found a parts supply house and he picked up the parts and headed out to the aid of the broken down truck. They made short work of the repairs, primed the fuel filters and went to start the truck. Nothing. They tried to short across the solenoids. Nothing. Finally they hooked a chain up and "pull" started the ailing truck. It made the trip back to Abilene with no more problem and I picked it up late in the day and took it to the fleet shop. By that time fifteen hours had elapsed. The dispatch board was a mess of eraser marks and nearly everyone's schedule had been altered to try to cover all the loads we could. I think by days end we had only two loads that had to be rescheduled for today. Now KO is worrying himself silly about what the hazmat cleanup is going to cost. I told him don't worry, that is what insurance is for.

We had a conference call scheduled with the core customers top executives. We are going to be a "pilot project" for some new procedures. KO held his own but these guys are pretty big, smooth players. They didn't get where they are at by being wall flowers. When the crux of the meeting was over KO mentioned being up most of the night with the fuel spill and everything that went on. When these gentlemen learned that the load pickup was for them, they got very interested. They assured us they would look into the problem. A couple of hours later one of them called back and said they had talked with the GM at the box manufacturer and he said that they would have the entry fixed by Thursday afternoon and they would pay for the hazmat cleanup and any damages. Walk softly, carry a big stick and know who to talk to.

After all that, the rest of the day was a piece of cake!

Addison is home. I still don't know if that is good or not. Effectively her summer is ruined (Thanks "M"). She can't be around other kids (the doctors say she doesn't need to be hit or bumped) and she cannot be in the sun. She cannot have any spicy or salty food (chicken broth is too salty and burns the cuts inside her mouth) so apparently her new favorite food is eggs. Soft and bland. She probably needs to come over here and let Dandy fix her some of his famous oatmeal. Krl says that Addie probably needs counseling. Kali told her that Addie is very traumatized with dogs now (I wonder why). Krl talked about whether or not she should offer to keep Addie but then we do have a house full of hounds (even though they are lickers not biters). Addie is already concerned that other kids are going to make fun of her. She did ask her Mom if she still has a tongue. She is still experiencing a good deal of pain. (Thanks again "M").

Verlin takes two steps forward and one back. The pump is removed. His heart is trying to do its thing, but they have been unable to remove the breathing tube. Everytime they try his function becomes erratic. On top of this he has pneumonia in both lungs. The best thing that could happen is for him to be sitting or standing but as long as he has that breathing tube in, that is not an option. He is alert and responsive.

Well, let's "Git 'er done!"

FATHER, YOU are in control. Take this day and make it what YOU want it to be. I continue to thank YOU for Krl and ask YOUR care and healing for her. I lift up Addie and Verlin to YOU for YOUR gifts of healing and comfort. I continue to ask YOUR healing and care for others who are near and dear. I pray for those sad with loss. I pray for those of us who struggle in our walk with YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. Bless me oh LORD, and expand my boundaries.